How to Calculate How Much Carpet Is Needed for Pattern Matching

By Chelsea Fitzgerald Updated September 26, 2017

Obtaining the correct measurements is particularly important in carpets with patterns because you have to ensure that the pattern matches. Adding an extra amount to your measurements allows you to accommodate any waste during the installation. Waste occurs when the installer has to form seams in the flooring and cut the carpet for irregular shapes. Lining up the carpet pattern during installation -- particularly detailed patterns, such as plaids -- ensures that the carpeting has a unified look.

New carpeting transforms the look of your home.

Step 1

Start measuring the length of the room where you want to install the carpeting. If there is a doorway in this section of the room, place the tape measure in the middle of the doorway, rather than against the baseboard. Write down the numbers as you take all the measurements.

Step 2

Stretch the tape measure along the width of the room, measuring from the center of any existing doorway if it has one. If not, measure from one baseboard to the other.

Step 3

Calculate the square yardage necessary to carpet the room by multiplying the length times the width. Write down the sum.

Step 4

Repeat the calculations for each room where you are installing the same carpet. Add all the square yards together.

Step 5

Add 10 percent to the total sum to allow for waste and pattern matching. Take this number with you to the carpet store.

Things You Will Need

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Tape measure

Calculator

Tips

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Carpet patterns tend to hide soil and stains better than a solid color, therefore this is a wise buy if you have many people, small children or pets in your home.

This type of flooring comes in rolls that are 12 feet wide.

References

About the Author

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Chelsea Fitzgerald covers topics related to family, health, green living and travel. Before her writing career, she worked in the medical field for 21 years. Fitzgerald studied education at the University of Arkansas and University of Memphis.